Desmond Richardson News

The National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) congratulates the 52nd class of U.S. Presidential Scholars, announced today by U.S. Secretary of Education John King. The 20 U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts-one of the nation's highest honors for high school students and all of whom are YoungArts Winners-were nominated to The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars for their artistic achievement, and selected based on academic and artistic accomplishments, leadership responsibilities, community service and outreach initiatives, and overall creativity.

The Board of Trustees of the National YoungArts Foundation today announced the appointment of Carolina Garcia Jayaram as President and Chief Executive Officer. Ms. Jayaram succeeds Michael Kaiser, Interim Chief Executive Officer. She will assume her post on June 20, 2016.

On Wednesday, April 6, 2016, the National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) welcomed more than 250 of New York City's top cultural and community leaders, philanthropists, celebrities and art aficionados to the YoungArts New York Inaugural Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Temple of Dendur in the Sackler Wing. The sold-out evening raised nearly half a million dollars and celebrated the organization's 35 years of support and lasting impact on young talent in the cultural capital of New York and across the nation. Presented in collaboration with luxury brand Swarovski, the event was hosted by honorary co-chairs and YoungArts artistic advisors Mikhail Baryshnikov, Artistic Director of the Baryshnikov Arts Center (BAC), and renowned opera singer Pla?cido Domingo, as well as gala co-chairs Sarah Arison and Agnes Gund.

My introduction to YoungArts happened on Wednesday evening, April 13, 2016 at Pearl Studios near Penn Station. The seventh floor of this dance facility was converted into their intensive week of interdisciplinary workshops, seminars, and master classes with renowned leaders in their fields. Since I am a dance reviewer, I was honored to observe a master class with Guest Teacher John Heginbotham. I was surprised that only five dancers were in attendance.  Usually, most master classes are packed wall-to-wall with dance students. Later on, I was informed that this intimate setting was designed like that because YoungArts wants to make sure that their artists have the dedicated attention of teachers such as Mr. Heginbotham. A quintet of an elite group.

The National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts)'s 2016 YoungArts New York program will take place from April 12 to 17 and will offer 2016 YoungArts Winners from the New York area - selected from a record number of 12,000 applications - a rare opportunity to learn, connect and collaborate with fellow peers and creative luminaries across artistic disciplines.

VOTES by Jacqueline S. Salit and Fred Newman, composed by leading pop/country tunesmith Annie Roboff, is an 'outsider' musical with a canny view of the Clintons as a political couple. Castillo Theatre, 543 West 42nd Street, will present the work's world premiere tonight, April 1, to May 8, directed by Gabrielle L. Kurlander.

VOTES by Jacqueline S. Salit and Fred Newman, composed by leading pop/country tunesmith Annie Roboff, is an 'outsider' musical with a canny view of the Clintons as a political couple. Castillo Theatre, 543 West 42nd Street, will present the work's world premiere April 1 to May 8, directed by Gabrielle L. Kurlander.

he National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) today announced details for its 2016 regional programs, which will take place in Los Angeles, Miami and New York this February, March and April, respectively.

Witness ballet as you've never seen it before - complete with dancers at the height of physical perfection and professional poise - when COMPLEXIONS CONTEMPORARY DANCE comes to Wharton Center this winter. Part of the Dance Series at Wharton Center, this stellar performance will be featured tonight, January 19, 2016, in the Cobb Great Hall.

On Saturday, January 9, 2016, the National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) kicked off its 35th anniversary with the organization's annual Backyard Ball performance and gala. Themed 'Celebrating 35 Years Through the Lens of the Future,' the evening honored director and actress Rosie Perez and director Robert Wilson with Arison Awards, and performer, Tony Award nominee, YoungArts Master Teacher and 1997 YoungArts Winner in Theater Tony Yazbeck with the Arison Alumni Award. Scroll down for photos from the event!

Witness ballet as you've never seen it before - complete with dancers at the height of physical perfection and professional poise - when COMPLEXIONS CONTEMPORARY DANCE comes to Wharton Center this winter. Part of the Dance Series at Wharton Center, this stellar performance will be featured on Tuesday, January 19, 2016, in the Cobb Great Hall.

National YoungArts Week will culminate with the organization's largest annual fundraiser, the YoungArts Backyard Ball Performance and Gala, tonight, January 9, presented by MaxMara and emceed by Tony and Grammy Award-winning actor, singer and director, YoungArts Alumnus Billy Porter (1987 Winner in Theater). During the event, YoungArts will honor director and actress Rosie Perez and director Robert Wilson with the Arison Award, as well as performer, Tony Award nominee, YoungArts Master Teacher and 1997 YoungArts Winner in Theater Tony Yazbeck with the Arison Alumni Award, for their outstanding contributions and indelible impact on the arts.

The National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) today announced its 2016 YoungArts Winners. From more than 12,000 applications-the largest number to date-819 young artists from 42 states have been selected for their outstanding work and accomplishments across the literary, visual, design and performing arts. Winners receive cash awards of up to $10,000, validation by renowned mentors, opportunities to participate in YoungArts programs, a strong professional network, and guidance in taking important steps toward achieving their goals.  A complete list of the 2016 Winners is available online at http://youngarts.org/winners.  

National YoungArts Week will culminate with the organization's largest annual fundraiser, the YoungArts Backyard Ball Performance and Gala, presented by MaxMara and emceed by Tony and Grammy Award-winning actor, singer and director, YoungArts Alumnus Billy Porter (1987 Winner in Theater). During the event, YoungArts will honor director and actress Rosie Perez and director Robert Wilson with the Arison Award, as well as performer, Tony Award nominee, YoungArts Master Teacher and 1997 YoungArts Winner in Theater Tony Yazbeck with the Arison Alumni Award, for their outstanding contributions and indelible impact on the arts.

With the continued growth of its celebrated Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center series, and the success of its highly popular participatory dance experiences, The Music Center has become an important hub for dance in Los Angeles. Its 2015-2016 dance season is a prime example of the commitment of The Music Center to present distinctive dance experiences to Southern California audiences, especially by internationally renowned artists in classical ballet and contemporary expression.

The National YoungArts Foundation today announces a dynamic roster of public programs for its 35th anniversary season encompassing a series of new performances, showcases, exhibitions, and interdisciplinary collaborations across a broad range of art forms-from the organization's first resident dance company Complexions Contemporary Ballet; and "Pairings at Ted's," a new dinner and performance  series; to site-specific installations and public discussions with creative leaders such as Daniel Arsham, Franklin Sirmans and Fab 5 Freddy. The season underscores YoungArts' longstanding commitment to supporting the nation's next generation of artists by providing transformative educational and professional opportunities, including master classes, workshops, and mentorship programs with such renowned arts leaders as Carrie Mae Weems, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Frank Gehry, Wynton Marsalis, Jeff Koons, Kerry Washington, Robert Redford, and Placido Domingo, among others.

The National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) today announces the second annual YoungArts Awareness Day, a national campaign recognizing the organization's impact on thousands of emerging artists with a call-to-action for future generations. Slated for today, September 24, 2015, this year's events will take place on the heels of National Arts in Education Week to emphasize the growing need for programs that foster development, provide access to financial rewards, and present the arts as a viable career path-especially as schools are rapidly eliminating the arts within their curricula.

BROADWAY LEGACY is a photographic and editorial exhibition that boldly celebrates African American achievement in the Broadway industry. Broadway vets Carly Hughes and Grasan Kingsberry are the latest to be highlighted - check out their portraits below!

The National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) today announces the second annual YoungArts Awareness Day, a national campaign recognizing the organization's impact on thousands of emerging artists with a call-to-action for future generations. Slated for Thursday, September 24, 2015, this year's events will take place on the heels of National Arts in Education Week to emphasize the growing need for programs that foster development, provide access to financial rewards, and present the arts as a viable career path-especially as schools are rapidly eliminating the arts within their curricula.

Fire Island Dance Festival returned for its 21st edition July 17-19, 2015, with some of the most talked-about world-class dance companies, raising a record-breaking $544,555 for Dancers Responding to AIDS, a program of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. The festival, performed outdoors on the picture-perfect shores of the Great South Bay in Fire Island Pines, included the world premieres of five works. Scroll down for photos from the performances!